Xcel warns of more scams in Roswell, possibly other areas

Xcel Energy has learned of another round of scamming attempts against its customers, most of which are within the Roswell area.

Still, the company warns that these waves of scams can move to other locations, so Xcel customers in both New Mexico and Texas should practice caution.

Xcel’s media relations Wes Reeves said in a press release that these current scams are similar to the past when a caller poses as a customer agent.
“Sometimes the scammers are able to spoof an Xcel Energy phone number to make it appear as if the call is coming directly from the company,” Reeves said. “The caller warns the customer that a serviceman is on the way to disconnect power because of a delinquent bill, and the only way to prevent disconnection is for the customer to provide payment over the phone.”

Xcel said scammers will often provide only one option for payment – a prepaid debit card.
Xcel said it has been reported that scammers attempt to make themselves more convincing by providing the last four digits of the vehicle number of an employee supposedly on their way to disconnect service.
“Xcel Energy reminds customers that they will receive a disconnect notice in the mail before a serviceman is sent to disconnect the meter,” Reeves said. “The company also provides multiple ways to pay a bill. Customers receiving suspicious calls should hang up and contact the company at 1-800-895-4999 to check the status of their bills and make any scheduled payments in the appropriate ways.”